New administration

A new administration took charge of Aberdeenshire Council for the first time last Thursday.

Conservative Jim Gifford (Mid Formartine) is the new leader of the council after his party joined forces with the Liberal Democrats and nine Independent members. Lib Dem group leader Martin Kitts-Hayes (Inverurie & District) has taken over as Aberdeenshire Council’s deputy leader.

The Aberdeenshire Alliance group came together after the Conservatives and Liberals cited internal divisions among the SNP, the largest party, and possible personality clashes as reasons why they could not form coalitions.

Conservative councillor Jill Webster has been elected as the first female Provost of Aberdeenshire.